COUNCIL BUSINESS TOP PRIORITY

This past weekend a small town Elks Club hosted the 50 year reunion of local high school graduates. There were hugs and kisses, photos taken, perhaps a trip to the bar for a soft drink, glass of white wine or something stronger, a close look at vintage photos, and later a very nice banquet to remember. The memories just flooded past.

At one of the dinner tables there were grads who spent their working lives as police officers, small business owners, educators, and medical professionals, and they were caught up in conversation about international travel, hunting and fishing, and of course the good times they had while in high school. A typical comment was that those were wonderful days, an innocent time, and with plenty of fun.

It was wonderful, a social time with friends and acquaintances, with loud talk and laughter everywhere.

Yet in a corner of the dining room were about a half dozen members of the planning committee continuing work on arrangements, taking care of odds ‘n ends, and in short orchestrating the evening events.

As we meet in Sacramento for Rally 2006 we hope to have a great time with people, yet the focus of the convention will be on the business meetings, specifically the Council of Presidents meeting Friday and the EXCOM meeting Saturday. Make no mistake about it–that’s where the action is going to be. The Council leadership needs to be in those meetings, for the presidents a once-a-year event, to do the Council’s business.

No business can be conducted unless there is a quorum present, and that’s why it’s so important for chapters to send authorized representatives/proxies if the president can’t attend.

On Friday, the presidents as final authority will install new area directors, make provision for and participate in area meetings, and quickly move to consideration and potential adoption of a new strategic plan, which could define the Council’s future. But before the day ends, there are other important issues to consider.

On Saturday morning the Executive Committee (EXCOM) will meet to review administrative matters, examine the financial plans and budgets, identify critical trends in the organization’s opertations, and begin planning implementation of new initiatives adopted by the presidents on Friday.

It is the Council’s affairs that will hold center stage at Rally 2006; the spotlight will be on the Friday and Saturday business meetings. These meetings are the primary reason we must gather in Sacramento later this year.

Yet, and this year in particular, there will be time for social, recreational, and tourism activities and events, plenty of opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. CAL-MOAA organization and personal memories will be on parade. A very enjoyable time has been planned along with the more serious business affairs.

Perhaps the Council of Presidents business meeting will be held in the hotel’s hot tub.

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